CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sara
"Ten minutes," Emma said, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Ten minutes until he's here."
"Yeah..." I trailed off, my mind spinning as I reconsidered—again and again—whether I was really going to do this.
A date with Archie. Finally.
And yet, with exactly ten minutes to go, doubt crept in.
Was I truly ready for this?
And the funny thing was, I was the one who first suggested it.
The idea had been haunting me, and I couldn't shake it. I hadn't given Archie a chance, hadn't given us a chance. How could I know what I truly felt for him if I kept holding back?
I couldn't shake the uncertainty. Was it right to go on this date, knowing how Archie felt about me... and that I was still unsure how I felt about him?
The divorce was already done. I was a free woman. A date or two was perfectly reasonable, wasn't it?
I sighed.
I had left work early to prepare for this date. It had been so long since I'd gone on one that the whole thing felt unfamiliar.
As I stood in the middle of my walk-in closet, I hesitated. What was I supposed to wear? Something casual? Something a little dressy? It wasn't just about looking good. I needed to feel comfortable, too.
Archie had said it was someplace casual, so that made the choice easier. I should keep it simple.
But no matter what I picked, the nerves didn't go away. Maybe it wasn't about the outfit at all. Maybe it was the fact that, after everything, I wasn't sure if I was ready for this.
In the end, I opted for simple jeans and a loose sweater in a cream, almost golden color. It complemented my pale skin, adding a touch of warmth without feeling too dressy.
My makeup was already done—subtle and natural, just enough to enhance my features. I had tied my hair back, keeping it simple, not wanting to overthink things more than I already had.
Then I scrambled to find shoes and finally decided on flat boots. Practical, comfortable. Though without heels, Archie would tower over me, and I'd have to crane my neck just to look at him. I slipped them on anyway. Comfort won over vanity tonight.
And then the bell rang.
"He's here," Emma said, smiling softly at me. "Don't be so nervous, Sara. It's Archie."
"I know," I sighed, exhaling slowly. "I don't know why I'm so nervous."
"You've had lunch, dinner, even breakfast with him dozens of times before," she reminded me.
"Yes, but none of those were labeled as dates," I pointed out. "That label changes everything—it sets a lot of expectations for this one."
"I'd like to say something," she said cautiously. "Just hear me out, okay?"
I nodded but held my breath.
"I believe Archie is the perfect guy for you. He has your best interest at heart, and if there's anyone who would die for you—besides me—it's him. He's been in love with you for so long, yet he's never pressured you, never asked for more than you were ready to give. He was willing to wait."
She hadn't finished. I could see her hesitation, carefully choosing her next words. So I waited, silent and expectant.
"But I also know that Cole—the stupid asshole—is still in your heart."
Her tone softened, as did her gaze.
"And with that said, there are two things I'm worried about. One, that you'll have unreasonable expectations—that you'll hope Archie can fill the void, that you'll search for something in him, anything, to replace what you felt for Cole. You will disappoint yourself when you don't find it. Not because Archie isn't enough, but because you were looking for the wrong thing."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing, her voice even gentler.
"Secondly... Archie is too good to be hurt like that, Sara. I'm not even that close to him, but just imagining it—imagining him getting his heart broken—it's enough to make my chest ache."
I swallowed, my throat suddenly tight. I knew Emma wasn't saying this to guilt me. She was saying it because she cared. Because she saw things I sometimes refused to acknowledge.
"I don't want to hurt him," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "That's the last thing I want."
"I know," she said, giving me a small, understanding smile. "That's why I'm telling you this now. So you can really think about it. Because Archie? He's all in, Sara. He always has been. If you're not—if even a part of you is still stuck in the past—you need to ask yourself if this is fair to him."
I let out a slow breath, my hands gripping the fabric of my sweater. I had spent days convincing myself this was just a date, nothing more. But maybe Emma was right. Maybe it wasn't fair to Archie if my heart wasn't entirely free to give.
The sounds from downstairs pulled me back to the present. I had a date with the most wonderful man in the world, yet my heart was in tatters.
*** *** ***
The restaurant was cute and cozy, and it felt warm and intimate the moment you stepped inside. With only a dozen tables, the atmosphere was quiet, almost romantic, the soft glow of candlelight reflecting off the wooden walls. The scent of freshly baked bread and simmering herbs filled the air, adding to the charm. It was the place meant for long conversations and lingering glances. Perfect for a date.
If only my heart wasn't such a mess.
"How did you find this place? It's very nice," I said, trying to make conversation.
Archie was studying me, his gaze lingering for a moment before he finally replied. "Henry suggested it."
My brows rose. "Henry?"
"Our new assistant. Julian and I hired him recently."
"Oh, you have an assistant now?"
"We've always had one," he explained. "Since we travel a lot, we need someone to handle things here. But our previous assistant resigned, so Henry's our new guy."
I nodded, playing with my napkin absentmindedly. "Is he good?"
Archie smirked. "So far, yeah. Though I think Julian scares him a little."
I chuckled. "Julian is a riot."
Archie grinned, but his eyes never left mine, like he was trying to read something in my expression. And suddenly, I was all too aware of the way this felt—different, new, charged in a way I wasn't sure I was ready for.
"Relax, Peaches," Archie said gently, his voice laced with warmth. "I don't understand why you're suddenly so nervous around me."
I forced a small smile, but I didn't understand it either. This was Archie. My friend. Someone I trusted, someone who had always been there. And yet, tonight felt different, like there was a weight to every word, an unspoken expectation hanging in the air.
"I'm not nervous," I said, though the way I kept fiddling with the edge of my napkin gave me away.
Archie arched a brow, clearly unconvinced. "Right. And Julian is the most serious guy in the world."
I sighed, finally setting the napkin down. "It's just... weird. Not in a bad way. Just... different."
His gaze softened, and he reached across the table, brushing his fingers lightly against mine. Just for a second. "It doesn't have to be," he said. "It's still just me and you, Sara."
I nodded, but my heart stumbled over itself. Just me and you .
He was right.
I looked up, meeting his eyes, and for a moment, the chaos in my mind stilled. Archie had always been my anchor, my steady, unwavering pillar of strength. With just a look, he could quiet the storm inside me.
I smiled at him, feeling slightly lighter. The tension in my chest loosened just a little. Maybe I was overthinking things. Maybe I just needed to let this night be what it was. A date with a man who had always been good to me.
Archie's lips quirked up at the corners, his thumb brushing against the rim of his glass as he studied me. "There she is."
I let out a small laugh. "Was I gone?"
"Not gone," he said. "Just... lost in that overactive mind of yours."
I shook my head, but I didn't deny it. Because he was right. He always seemed to know when I was spiraling, when my thoughts were pulling me under. And somehow, with just a few words, he could bring me back.
"Shall we order?" he proposed, picking up his menu from the table.
"Yeah, let's order," I agreed.
We both decided on steak—medium-rare for him, medium for me. The restaurant offered a variety of sides, and Archie chose garlic mashed potatoes while I went with a baked potato loaded with sour cream, chives, and crispy bacon bits.
While we waited, I told Archie about my clients, the crazy projects I had on my plate, and the struggle I knew was looming on the horizon, the inevitable challenges that would come with separating my company from Cole's.
Archie listened intently, his expression thoughtful as he swirled the wine in his glass. "I'll be honest, Peaches," he said with a small smile. "This isn't my area of expertise, so I'd be absolutely useless in giving you advice. But I'll listen. Always."
I nodded, appreciating his honesty. "That's all I need, really. Just someone to hear me out before my brain explodes." I chuckled, swirling the stem of my wineglass between my fingers. "But I've decided to let go of some of my clients and pass them on to a friend. That way, the burden won't be too overwhelming for me."
Archie nodded, his expression approving. "That's probably smart. You already have enough on your plate with the transition. No need to burn yourself out trying to handle everything at once."
"Exactly," I sighed. "It wasn't an easy decision, though. But at the end of the day, I have to be realistic about what I can handle."
We were quiet for a moment before I asked, "How about you? Are you heading out on another deployment soon?"
I knew what that meant. When Archie took on a deployment, it usually required him to travel, sometimes for weeks, sometimes for months.
He took a sip of his wine before answering, shaking his head. "I don't know. For the first time in a long time, I'm not in a rush to leave."
That surprised me. Archie had always been in motion, chasing stories in the world's most dangerous places, never staying in one spot for too long. And yet, it had been months since he returned, and he was still here. His feet must be already itching to leave.
"Really?" I asked.
He nodded, his gaze heavy with meaning. "Yeah. There are deployments available. I could leave as early as next week if I wanted. But..." He exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. "I guess I just don't want to. Not right now."
I swallowed, my chest tightening. "Why not?"
He gave me a look—one that made my pulse stutter. "You know why."
I did. I just wasn't sure what to do with it.
"Sara..." Archie's voice trailed off, and I saw his eyes flickering with hesitation, perhaps even conflict.
"Yeah?" I echoed, my voice softer now, holding my breath as I waited for him to continue.
"Why did you ask for a date? With me?" His question took me by surprise, and for a second, I feared this might not be what he really wanted.
"Because I remember you told me you wanted to stay friends for now," he added. "No pressure. No expectations."
"I said that," I admitted softly. "I guess I just wanted to know. I want to give us a try, but I want to take small steps first."
A slow smile curved his lips. "Yeah?" he murmured.
I returned the smile, feeling my heart quicken a little. "Small steps, Archie."
He let out a low, playful laugh. "Fuck, Sara, even without taking a single step, I'm still here, waiting."
And Emma's words filtered through my mind, echoing her warning about not hurting him. "Even though there's still uncertainty about us?" I asked hesitantly, the doubt in my voice betraying my nervousness.
Archie's gaze softened as he leaned in over the table. "Hope that clarity arrives soon," he replied quietly. "But yeah, Sara. I've told you I'll wait."
After that, we settled into a comfortable silence, one that said more than words ever could. In that quiet, I realized something profound: no matter where I was, as long as he was by my side, the chaos in my mind would still, and the cracks in my heart would slowly heal, piece by piece, with every moment we shared.
And I didn't feel that with Cole. Not anymore.
For the first time since Cole's betrayal came to light, I felt like I was exactly where I wanted to be.
We were the last customers to leave the restaurant, and as we drove home, my mind raced with how to end the night. Should it end with a kiss? It felt like it should, but I wasn't sure if he would make the move. He'd always been so careful with me, so hesitant—like that time at the club when I'd tried to kiss him, and he'd gently pulled away.
The memory made me hesitate. Should I try again? Perhaps this time would be different. Maybe I needed to be the one to take the first step. I longed to know what it felt like to kiss him, to see how my heart would respond, whether it would race uncontrollably or find a gentle rhythm instead.
Archie parked his car in front of my house as usual, and we walked to the front door in silence. My mind was still a jumbled mess, bombarded with a single, desperate thought: Should I do it? Should I just kiss him?
Even once we stepped inside, I couldn't summon the courage. Archie stood in the foyer, and I could sense he was about to leave when he broke the quiet. "I had a good time tonight, Peaches."
I returned his smile, warmth radiating in my response. "Me too."
He slowly spun around, and in that split second, my heart pounded, screaming, Now! "Archie..." I called out, my voice trembling with anticipation.
I stared at him, and he stared back at me in a silent, charged moment. Then, in one impulsive motion, I leaped forward. I pulled his neck down and kissed him—an urgent, fierce kiss that left him momentarily frozen on his feet. Then he reacted, returning my kiss with fervor. His lips, his warmth, and the intensity of his embrace sent shivers through me; it was as if his kiss ignited every nerve in my body. He kissed me like he'd been waiting for a hundred years. His kiss was pure hunger, a raw, unadulterated need.
He tilted his face, deepening the kiss, and in that instant, I climbed into him, drawn into a world where everything else simply ceased to exist. The room, the noise, the entire world, all faded away, replaced by the burning heat of his kiss. His hands roamed my back, pulling me closer, as our sighs merged into a single, harmonious sound.
Time lost all meaning. I couldn't stop, and neither could he. Every urgent press of his lips erased the echoes of past hurts and the cautious words that once held me back. In their place bloomed a raw, unbridled passion, a kiss that spoke of years of longing and hinted at the promise of new beginnings.
Gradually, the passion eased into a tender stillness. We pulled apart only enough to catch our breath, our eyes meeting in a silence that spoke louder than any words. In his gaze, I saw both vulnerability and hope, and I was certain my own eyes told the same story.
"I should stop now," he murmured, breathless. "Before I can't stop at all."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah..." I mumbled. He pulled away, stepping backward toward the front door. My hand was still warm in his grip until he had to let go to turn the knob.
"Good night, Peaches," he said with a tenderness that warmed me.
My heart was still thundering in my chest, and I could barely whisper, "Good night."
*** *** ***
That was last night.
And I could still feel his kiss on my lips.
Today, I had Nicole sit next to me as I tried to make sense of everything.
"I'm guessing you know who I am," she began calmly.
I nodded. Her words were a statement, not a question.
"Archie told you about me?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and caution.
"Yes," I replied.
"I'm surprised, to be honest," Nicole said, a light chuckle escaping her. "He wasn't the type to talk about things like this."
I had nothing to say, words slipping away under the heavy impact of her confession.
"Perhaps I should get to the point," she continued, her gaze locking onto mine. "Let me explain why I'm here."
"Please," I urged.
She sighed deeply before speaking again. "Archibald. He's the love of my life. He broke my heart, and yet, I could never hate him. Not even when he told me there was someone else in his heart." Her words carried a quiet ache, a testament to a love that endured despite the pain.
"Despite his cold, quiet demeanor, he's always been the best guy for me. Because when he's truly present, when he gives you his full attention, nothing else compares. It's like being wrapped in a rare kind of affection, something extraordinary, almost irreplaceable. In a world full of assholes, he's a unicorn."
Nicole paused, letting her words hang for a moment. "But what he felt for me," she continued softly, "was nothing compared to what he feels for you." She watched me absorb her words, my silence lingering. "I felt blessed just to have a fraction of his attention. I can't imagine what it's like to have his heart—all these years, even now, quietly loving you."
I stared at her, my mind racing, but I couldn't speak.
Nicole's eyes glistened as she turned her gaze away. "Even after we broke up, I kept hoping he'd come back. I couldn't let go." She exhaled shakily. "Then last night, I walked past a restaurant and saw you two. I watched from outside, through the window. And the way he looked at you..." Her voice faltered before she swallowed hard. "I knew right then. There's no hope for me—or anyone else. It's you. It's always been you."
Her words, heavy with resignation, settled over me as I sat there, stunned.
"I..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"I'm leaving the company, Sara. Moving back to Italy," she said, her gaze heavy with sadness. "It's too hard, seeing what I've lost every day. Maybe that's why he stayed away so much, why he threw himself into the most dangerous work. It was the only way not to feel broken because of you."
She paused, her eyes sharpening as they locked onto mine. "Here's the point," she said firmly. "Sara, you've already broken his heart, even if it was unintentional. Don't break it further. He doesn't deserve that."
She rose, never breaking our gaze. "I'm here because I need to make sure of it. Because I still love him. And I'll always want to protect him, even if it's no longer my place."
I sat frozen, watching her walk away. She was so beautiful, confident, formidable, and yet, for Archie, her vulnerability was raw and unguarded. She loved him that deeply.
It took a while before I finally stood, my mind heavy with everything. Slowly, I made my way back to my office. By the time I sat at my desk, a decision had formed. I picked up my phone and typed a message:
"Archie, can we talk? Can you come to my house tonight?"
His reply came instantly. "Of course. I'll be there."